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Veterans receive anonymous angelic gift from Hastings resident

A story from the local Hastings Reminder…

No one at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Battle Creek knows who was behind a recent gift or why the center was chosen. All Todd Greenman, VAMC chief of community and volunteer service, knows is that 365 patients and residents will receive an anonymous gift of hope — The Willow Tree Angel of Hope, a product of the Demdaco Company.But the gift originated in Hastings“We have a very caring customer who wanted to donate angels for the veterans [in Battle Creek],” said Hodges Jewelry and Gifts owner, Deb Button, of Hastings.The Willow Tree Angel, which retails for about $25 each, are hand-carved sculptures by Susan Lordi that are said to speak in quiet ways to heal, comfort, protect and inspire. “Lordi renders emotion through the angels in simple, pure gestures,” according to one online description.After each boxed angel was wrapped in colorful paper by employees of Hodges Jewelry and Gifts, 21 boxes of 18 angels each were delivered from Hastings to the VAMC courtesy J-Ad Graphics Inc., publishers of the Reminder.Button and Patti Jacobs, wife of Reminder publisher Fred Jacobs, met with Greenman and VAMC Volunteer Specialist Brian Pegouske and administrative assistant Mark Peters Friday to officially complete the gift. “This customer called up and wanted 365 Willow Tree Angels for the patients and residents, so that’s what we ordered,” said Button. “This customer wanted to give a ‘thank you’ to the veterans. It’s just somebody that believes and is a very caring person.”Button said only that the anonymous donor is a Hastings area resident.“Why this person chose Battle Creek for this gift, we’re not sure,” she said. “So, we contacted Demdaco, and that’s what we brought.”Button said the group effort also included UPS which delivered the angels to Hodges.Patti Jacobs added that each angel is accompanied by a special sentiment: “A vision of Angels, as they gather you will see. Sent to bring comfort and restore all in need. May their arms encircle you on this day. As you envision these Angels who have come to say. ‘We will keep you close at hand as you make your way.’ This vision of Angels who have come to stay. Thank you for your dedication in service to others, From many caring hearts.”Greenman said the VAMC hopes to distribute the angels to patients and residents at Christmas time.“So, we’re going to add that to the other things that we give them,” he said. “We thought [Christmas] would be a nice time to do it.”Pegouske added that the holidays are an especially difficult time for veterans because many of them don’t get to see their family members.“Some of them may, in turn, want to give them as gift at Christmas,” said Pegouske, “because some of them don’t have the means otherwise to give a gift.”Pegouske said it’s good for the veterans to know they’re remembered.“This gift really shows that they’re special to those in the community, and it will be a great item for them to receive around the holidays,” Pegouske said.The VAMC serves 22 counties in southwest Michigan, including Barry and Calhoun counties. It also maintains outpatient clinics in Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Benton Harbor and Battle Creek.J-Ad Graphics Inc. last week delivered 365 Demdaco Willow Tree Angels of Hope to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Battle Creek as part of a group effort to make sure a Hastings resident’s anonymous gifts get into the hands of the veterans living there.